Cuba Trekking and Beaches

Unfortunately this tour isn’t available for sale in your country or region.

Get active and discover the great outdoors in Cuba

Cuba might be known for its classic cars, tumbledown streets and intoxicating Afro-Cuban nightlife, but leave the cities behind and you’ll find an unspoiled natural treasure trove. Rubbing shoulders with the Caribbean, the Sierra Maestra mountain range is home to hidden caves, waterfalls and a wealth of flora and fauna. Encounter all of these and more on a three-day trek through the mountains, then cool down with a splash at Varadero’s bright blue beaches. Get your heart racing then slow it right down – that’s how we do it on this active outdoor adventure.

Why you'll love this trip

Encounter cloud forests, caves and waterfalls on a three-day hike through the Sierra Maestra mountain range.

With its vibrant music scene and Afro-Cuban roots, sultry Santiago de Cuba is a great place to bust out some moves.

Unwind on powder-white sand with a day at one of Varadero’s pristine beaches.

Is this trip right for you?

Much of the trekking on this tour will take you through cloud forests, which receive regular rainfall and can be quite humid. Trekking in these conditions can be challenging, so it is best to come prepared and remember to keep well hydrated.

The guesthouses (Casas) we use are much nicer than your average Cuban dwelling but keep in mind that each and every room is unique. Regardless of where you stay, power cuts and breaks in hot water are sometimes unavoidable, as in any developing country.

Funds can be difficult to access in Cuba. Ideally bring multiple credit cards from several different banks just to be sure.

Luxuries such as air conditioning, and even toilet seats, are often scarce. Part of the experience here is learning to appreciate everyday Cuban resourcefulness.

Internet access can be hard to come by, and when it's available it's often unreliable and expensive. This is, on the other hand, a great opportunity to take a break from modern devices and have a true holiday.

Cuba is different, and that's a big part of its allure. Things don't always go according to plan, and many things don't work the same way as back home. Patience and good humour will go a long way in this beautiful destination.

As this trip covers a lot of land, you'll be spending quite a bit of time looking out of a bus window. Don’t forget your headphones!

Gallery

Itinerary

Bienvenido a Cuba! Welcome to Cuba! A complimentary arrival transfer is included with your trip. Please ensure you provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel so the transfer can be organised.

There will be a welcome meeting at approximately 6pm this evening. Please expect a letter from your leader in the afternoon of Day 1 to confirm the place of your meeting (if by 5pm you cannot locate this letter then please ask your guesthouse owner if one has been delivered, or ask to call our assistance line listed in the "Problems and emergency contact information" section of this document). We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. The tour briefing is generally followed by an optional group dinner.

As there's a great deal to do in Havana, we recommend staying a few extra days to make the most of this exciting city. If you need help booking extra accommodation, our reservations team will be happy to assist. If you arrive early, please note most activities in Cuba can only be booked through the tourist desk in the lobbies of the larger hotels or direct with the venue. Otherwise, there are plenty of good museums to check out, including the Museo de la Revolucion and the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.

Accommodation

Standard guesthouse (1 night)

Optional Activities

Havana - Revolution museum - CUC5

Havana - Tourist bus day pass - CUC5

Havana - National Museum of Fine Arts - CUC5

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

Please see "Joining instructions" for more information about exiting the arrivals hall and connecting with your arrival transfer driver. Please trust that your driver will know the address of your assigned guesthouse.

Set out on a morning walking tour and get to know Havana’s colourful history, taking in the city’s grand old buildings, narrow streets and main plazas. Afterwards, board a bus headed to Trinidad (approximately five hours), stopping for an optional lunch along the way. Trinidad is a delightfully well-preserved colonial city that sits comfortably along the Caribbean coast. The city is also steeped in religion, including the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria, which has connections to Voodoo. See some of the main sights on a one-hour orientation walk. Tonight you can choose to hit the hay early before tomorrow’s first hike, or live it up at one of Trinidad’s many live music venues.

Accommodation

Standard guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Trinidad - Orientation walk

Havana - Guided walking tour of Old Havana

Optional Activities

Havana - Camera Obscura entrance - CUC2

Meals Included

Get ready to tackle the first hike of the trip. The Topes de Collantes National Park covers 200 square kilometres of jungle, mountains, waterfalls and caves. In fact there are four smaller parks contained within Topes de Collantes’ border. The journey to the national park takes approximately one hour by bus. Afterwards, work up a sweat on a hike to Salto de Caburni, an impressive waterfall and natural swimming pool where you can enjoy a swim to cool off. Due to the intensity of the walk (three kilometres down to the waterfall and then back up), it’s recommended you bring extra water to keep you hydrated. Today’s hike also includes lunch. Return to Trinidad in the afternoon.

Accommodation

Standard guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Trinidad - Topes de Collantes Hike

Meals Included

Enjoy a day of free time. There are some great Spanish-style churches to see, and nearby is the Valle de los Ingenios, where sugar plantations stretch out as far as the eye can see. For some seaside fun, head down to Playa Ancon and stroll its long stretches of white sand. You can go for a snorkel too. Just be careful when you're in the water, as sea urchins can be a problem here. Back on the land, you can go cycling or hiking. If you rent a bicycle, be careful on the cobblestones, and remember your bike will be of the vintage variety. A folklore dance and music show in one of the open-air venues is highly recommended – a great chance to be immersed in Cuba's African, French and Spanish-influenced music and dance culture.

Accommodation

Standard guesthouse (1 night)

Optional Activities

Trinidad - Salsa Dance Lesson - CUC8

Trinidad - Massage - CUC25

Trinidad - Ancon beach shuttle bus - CUC4

Trinidad - Disco in a cave - CUC5

Trinidad - Museo Romantico - CUC2

Trinidad - Bicycle rental (full day) - CUC5

Meals Included

Today is a long travel day to Bayamo (approximately 10 hours in total). The journey will be broken up with a stop in Ciego de Avila to stretch your legs before continuing on to Bayamo. To pass the time there will be a Spanish lesson on board the bus. It’s a good idea to pack some card games, a book or load some podcasts onto your phone. This is also a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers. After arriving and settling in at Bayamo, join your tour guide on an orientation walk of the city. Bayamo is one of Cuba’s oldest cities, even predating Havana and Santiago! It’s a typically Cuban destination – laid back, friendly and with lots of horses clopping through the streets. Head to bed early tonight before climbing the Sierra Maestra mountain ranges early tomorrow.

Accommodation

Standard guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Bayamo - Orientation Walk

Informal Spanish lesson with leader

Meals Included

Rise early this morning for a 7am departure to head to Balcon de la Sierra, the base of the Sierra Maestra mountain range (approximately one hour). Climb into a jeep to Santo Domingo (30 minutes) to meet the national park guide and eat breakfast before heading further up the mountain to Altos del Naranjo (approximately 15 minutes).

From here, begin the three-hour hike to Comandancia de la Plata. This site, now a museum, was the headquarters of the revolutionary army for nearly two years during the early days of the war against the Batista government. Visit several of the buildings at the Comandancia, including the medical hut where Che Guevara treated farmers and injured revolutionary fighters, as well as Fidel Castro’s private quarters. In the afternoon, begin the second trek (approximately two hours) to La Platica. The trek here is easier and the group should arrive at around 3pm. The afternoon is then free to relax at camp or enjoy some of the shorter trails around the camp site.

Accommodation tonight is in simple multi-share wooden buildings, with up to six bunk beds per room. The huts are mixed dorms. Each of the bunk beds has a simple mattress and generally no pillows or sheets are provided. Only a few blankets are available. Considering the cool night time temperatures, which can reach as low as five degrees Celcius (40 degrees Fahrenheit), it is advisable to bring your own sleeping bag that is adequate for these temperatures, otherwise a sleeping sheet and a good blanket.

Accommodation

Hut (1 night)

Included Activities

Sierra Maestra - Trek to 'Comandancia de la Plata'

Meals Included

Today you’ll be given a choice to trek or not. There is the option to set out on a looped trail to Pico Turquino (1974m/6,476ft). This trek is physically demanding and suited to those who enjoy prolonged physical exertion in challenging conditions. The trail is well maintained and basic steps and wooden handrails have been installed along sections of the trail. The trail can be slippery and steep in some sections. While this optional trail might sound like hard work, the views of the Sierra Maestra mountains are spectacular and the upper reaches of the cloud forest are home to a great variety of flora and fauna. This trail covers 10 kilometres and takes approximately six hours to complete. Please note that when it is not raining, the conditions will be hot and humid. This is because the area is mostly cloud forest and rain showers are frequent.

If you’re feeling sore, or have had difficulties with the trek the first day, it might be a good idea to spend the morning relaxing or depending on the availability of local guides, perhaps exploring shorter nearby tracks.

Accommodation

Included Activities

Meals Included

Today your leader will take you on a three-hour bus tour of Santiago de Cuba, including visits to El Morro Castle, the Moncada Barracks and the Ifigenia Cemetery, where Fidel Castro is buried. For nearly a century, the city was the island’s seat of power and it also played a vital role in the Revolution. The people of Santiago were the first to rise up in arms against government troops in 1956, and it was in Santiago on 1 January 1959 that Fidel Castro declared the triumph of the Revolution. The city also has a vibrant music scene thanks to its strong Afro-Cuba heritage. After the city tour, enjoy an afternoon to explore Santiago’s waterfront and, in the evening, perhaps practice your salsa moves at the city’s many clubs.

Accommodation

Standard guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Santiago de Cuba - half day city tour

Meals Included

Today is a free day to explore Santiago or simply relax. However, if you want to keep hiking there is the optional tour to Gran Piedra Park (approximately two hours) and climb the 500 steps up to a 63,000-tonne boulder with impressive views of the valley and sea. From here, enjoy an easy two-three kilometre hike across level terrain to the UNESCO-listed ruins of a French plantation. After a day of hiking, cool down with a refreshing swim in pools created by mountain water.

Accommodation

Standard guesthouse (1 night)

Optional Activities

Meals Included

Travel on to Camaguey (approximately five hours). Despite its size, Cuba's third largest city has managed to retain much of its colonial heritage. Explore the city's winding streets on an orientation walk with your tour leader (approximately one hour). Camaguey has a rich tradition of cultural and technological leadership within Cuba. It is the birthplace of poet laureate Nicolas Guillen and home of the Ballet de Camaguey. Cuba's first radio and television emissions were broadcast from Camaguey, and the country's first airport and commercial flights were planned and executed here. After the orientation walk, the rest of the days is free to explore.

Accommodation

Standard guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Camaguey - Orientation walk

Optional Activities

Camaguey - Casa de la Trova - CUC3

Camaguey - Bicycle taxi city tour - CUC7

Meals Included

Today is a long travel day, with approximately seven hours spent on the bus from Camaguey to Varadero. The trip will be broken up with a stopover in Santa Clara to visit the Che Guevara mausoleum and memorial. In the museum you can get a rare insight into the legacy of the revolutionary leader, with some interesting ephemera and artefacts on display – letters, firearms, and even medical devices. Afterwards, continue on to Varadero (approximately three hours). After arriving in and settling at the guesthouse, explore the city with your tour leader. Varadero is the largest resort in the Caribbean, home to a plethora of hotels, shops, and water ports. The uninterrupted 20 kilometre stretch of beaches is the city’s star attraction and the best place to unwind after a big day of travel.

Accommodation

Standard guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Santa Clara - Visit to Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum

Varadero - Orientation walk

Meals Included

Spend a free day in Caribbean bliss. You can choose to soak up some rays on Varadero’s main beach, hit the local street markets for some antique goods, or settle in at the House of Rum and taste a selection of rare and local rums. Your group leader will also be able to help organise other optional activities.

Accommodation

Standard guesthouse (1 night)

Meals Included

Don’t pass up the opportunity to enjoy Varadeo’s beaches before bundling back into the bus headed to Havana. On arrival in Havana, perhaps stop by Revolution Square and then take a stroll around the grounds of the infamous Hotel Nacional. Later on, prepare for a final night of celebrations.

Accommodation

Standard guesthouse (1 night)

Optional Activities

Havana - Vintage American car tour - USD55

Havana - Jose Marti Memorial Tower - CUC2

Havana - Visit to Plaza de la Revolucion - Free

Havana - Buena Vista Social Club - CUC30

Meals Included

There are no activities planned for the final day, checkout from the guesthouse is 10am. If you’d like to spend some extra nights here, let us know at the time of booking and we’ll be happy to organise the accommodation for you. If you want to experience Havana like a local, why not join one of our dedicated Urban Adventure one-day tours. Find out more at www.urbanadventures.com.

Meals Included

Breakfast

Inclusions

Meals

14 breakfasts,
4 lunches,
2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle,
Jeep

Accommodation

Standard guesthouse (12 nights),
Hut (2 nights)

Included activities

Trinidad - Orientation walk

Havana - Guided walking tour of Old Havana

Trinidad - Topes de Collantes Hike

Bayamo - Orientation Walk

Informal Spanish lesson with leader

Sierra Maestra - Trek to 'Comandancia de la Plata'

Santiago de Cuba - Orientation walk

Santiago de Cuba - half day city tour

Camaguey - Orientation walk

Santa Clara - Visit to Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum

Varadero - Orientation walk

Meals

14 breakfasts,
4 lunches,
2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle,
Jeep

Accommodation

Standard guesthouse (12 nights),
Hut (2 nights)

Included activities

Trinidad - Orientation walk

Havana - Guided walking tour of Old Havana

Trinidad - Topes de Collantes Hike

Bayamo - Orientation Walk

Informal Spanish lesson with leader

Sierra Maestra - Trek to 'Comandancia de la Plata'

Santiago de Cuba - Orientation walk

Santiago de Cuba - half day city tour

Camaguey - Orientation walk

Santa Clara - Visit to Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum

Varadero - Orientation walk

Dates & availability

Trip search is unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Cuba Trekking and Beaches trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

CUBA:
There are unprecedented changes happening in Cuba right now. It is an exciting time but it also means some patience and understanding is required for the heightened demand of infrastructure, accommodation and crowds.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.